She closed her eyes, savoring the feel of Audrey’s hand resting against Michelle’s stomach, wrapping her in warmth and comfort. Last night, Michelle had prepared a simple pasta dish for them, and they’d spent most of the rest of the evening here in bed. No doubt, she’d be sore when she finally got around to moving ... something she was in no hurry to do.
“Morning,” Audrey murmured into her hair, her arm tightening slightly, drawing Michelle closer against her. She went willingly, loving the sensation of Audrey’s body against hers, except ... if this went where she hoped it was going, Michelle needed to freshen up first. Sex with a full bladder and morning breath wasn’t that great, in her opinion.
“I’ll be right back,” she murmured, turning to kiss Audrey’s cheek. Then she slid to her feet, looking for her robe, but she wasn’t sure where she’d left it last night. She hurried into the bathroom, vaguely embarrassed to be walking around naked and also chilled from the morning air. When she came back out a few minutes later, she slid under the covers to warm up.
Audrey kissed her before going into the bathroom herself. Soon, she was back, snuggled against Michelle beneath the covers. Her skin had cooled while she was up, though, and it made Michelle shiver.
Audrey giggled. “Maybe you should turn your thermostat up a little bit. It’s cold in here.”
“I like it cold when I sleep, but I don’t usually walk around naked in the morning.”
“Fair point. Anyway, I know a good way to warm ourselves back up ...”
Her fingers slipped between Michelle’s thighs, and this time there was no discomfort to get in the way. They moved together beneath the covers, and it was a beautiful way to start the day, soft and quiet and unrushed. When they were sated, they lay facing each other. Audrey’s hair was in her face, sticking to her sweat-damp cheeks, and something about the image reminded Michelle of a much younger Audrey, the way she’d looked in college.
“Does our history bother you?” Michelle asked. “That I was your professor?”
“Are you kidding? On the contrary, I’m living out a fantasy right now.”
“You’re . . . what?”
Audrey slid closer, resting a hand on Michelle’s hip. She seemed to be a very tactile person, and Michelle was starting to realize she loved it. “Did you honestly not see the way I looked at you back then? I’ve always wondered.”
“You idolized me. I did notice.”
“No.” Audrey’s fingers traced hearts on Michelle’s hip. “I mean, yes, I did idolize you, but it was more than that. I had the biggest crush on you. I was hot for teacher, big time.”
Michelle flinched. “Really? That’s ... that’s awkward.”
“Not if we can laugh about it now.” Audrey grinned. Her fingers were still moving. The feel of her tracing hearts on Michelle’s skin might be her new favorite thing.
“Still,” Michelle pressed because this had been bothering her even before Audrey confessed her college crush. “It sometimes worries me that I met you when you were so young, that you were my student. It feels ... forbidden, even though it was so long ago. I have a tendency to overthink things, if you hadn’t noticed.”
Audrey squeezed her hip. “I noticed. But in this case, there’s nothing to worry about. We’re colleagues now. I’m thirty. That teenage girl who crushed on her professor is so far in the past, it’s not even worththinking about, except to appreciate the irony that we’re here together now ... as fully consenting adults.”
“I think this conversation has actually made me feelmoreconscious of it.” Michelle sighed. “Sorry.”
“You apologize too much,” Audrey said, her voice gentle. “Please don’t be sorry for voicing your concerns. I’m glad you told me so we can figure out a solution, and I think the answer here is communication. Let’s just try to be extra open with each other about what we’re feeling and check in with each other a lot.”
Michelle felt the tension drain from her muscles. “Yes, I like the sound of that.”
“Good.”
“Do you have plans today?”
“I need to spend some time at my pottery wheel. I’m working on a few holiday gifts.”
Michelle smiled. “I bet your friends and family love your gifts. I know I still treasure the teacup you made me.”
“Aww.” Audrey leaned in to kiss her cheek. “They do, but I try to mix it up and give them store-bought gifts sometimes too. Most of my family members are already completely overloaded with ceramics I’ve made them.”
“I can’t imagine having too many.”
“You’re sweet.” Audrey gave her another kiss. “But if you were asking if I need to leave soon, the answer is no. Actually, I’d love to get a better look at some of your art, if that’s okay, because I’m absolutelyswooningover your home collection.”
Michelle was extremely proud of her home collection, not that she shared it often. She didn’t open her home to many people, but for Audrey? “I’d like that.”
With that decided, they got up, dressed, and had breakfast at the table in Michelle’s kitchen. It overlooked the downward slope behind her house and provided sweeping views of the mountains beyond. She’dlived here over a year, and it still dazzled her every time she looked out the windows.
